Shoe Shopping

Shoe shopping with small people ain't always pretty. Sometimes it can be crazy-exhausting , but I've found that if I am systematic in my approach, things go a lot smoother. In our family, there are 4 tests to verify Goodness in shoes.


Let me illustrate with a short real-life example.

Me: Okay, Cam, which one do you like? Okay...put them on. Now stand up and let me feel your toes. (I do that thumb thing to make sure there is enough wiggle room. I pretend like I know what I'm doing on this test. It all seems a bit relative.) Alright Sir, walk down the aisle. Now run back. Great. You are definitely running faster now. Now jump. Yep. You are totally higher than before. Great. Do they feel good? Great. Put them back in the box and let's check out.

Zoey: (a little whiny) Mom. You didn't ask me and Dani to jump. You only smashed our big toe with your thumb and had us walk and run.

Me: Oh. Oops. I guess you need to get your new sneakers on again, huh?

Zoey and Danika in unison: Yeah (putting new shoes on)

Me: Okay. Now jump. Oh yeah. You are definitely jumping higher. Let me see all of you run again. Wow. That is quite impressive. Alright, I think we're done. Let's go.

In summary: Shoe Goodness is dependant on passing the following tests:
1. Smash big toe with thumb
2. Walk without tripping
3. Run faster than before
4. Jump higher than before

It's all pretty scientific, I know. I suggest you write it all out on a 3x5 card to keep in your purse. You can laminate it too, if that helps.

Beauty Rituals

All of my sisters and sisters-in-law are gorgeous. Seriously. They are not only beautiful, but they all have amazing style. Walking down the street with them is like being in a fashion show. It is unreal.

So when Aunt Jessica came to visit a few weeks ago, Lyssie, who is quite the little style-maven of her own, followed her around and studied her every move. Because as everyone knows, a beautiful Aunt is just the coolest thang, evah. (And yes, I followed her around too.)


After Jessica left, I noticed that Lyssie started spending inane amounts of time brushing her hair with a little pink brush. She was obsessed with this brush. No one could touch it especially Cam and baby Quinn. She also started sleeping with her beloved brush as well as a pink toy hair dryer.

One night as I chatted with her before bed, I told her how pretty her hair looked and I told her that I could tell that she was working very hard on it. And she replied in a very serious tone. "Yes, I comb my hair so it will grow. I want my hair to be long like Jessica."

Keep on combing, kid.

All Smile

I did this layout to complete my guest designship at Lotus Paperie and for My Little Shoebox this month. This little guy is just the cutest thing.


A close-up of my journaling.


Materials: My Little Shoebox pattern paper, chipboard letters, transparency, sticker letters; Paper Studio buttons; Core'dinations cardstock; uniball signo pen; DMC embroidery floss

She's Calling Me

I hear her calling me.

Softly at first.

Then more insistently.

She knows that I've had my eye on those beautiful quilts and those cute skirts. She knows that I just bought a pattern and fabric for a baptism dress for D. And fabric for a quilted wall-hanging. And I have a skirt already cut out waiting there patiently for months...

It's my sweet sewing machine that I love when she's working properly. And that frustrates me to no end when she isn't.

Ahhh...I must heed the call.


Before I can sew though, I must clean up my studio. Put all the pens into one neat basket.


Stack up all those finished layouts waiting for page-protectors and a binder. Why can't I just go and get a few new binders? I'm not sure what my hang-up is here...I wonder if there is a quiz I can take on FB about that? (...giggle)


Put all my ribbons and flowers into beautiful jars so I can gaze at them while I rip out all my mistakes...


And now, I can begin...

Because of You

This week's song for Scrapping the Music is Because of You. I did this layout for that challenge as well as for a tutorial coming up on Monday for The Next Step.


Materials: American Crafts pattern paper, Bazzil cardstock, My Little Shoebox letter stickers, Fontwerks stamp, sharpie pen, buttons and machine and thread

I tried a few new things on this one. Like this rolled paper. I think it adds interesting dimension, but would be a beast to place in a binder. Guess this one is going up on the wall.


Those flowers are going to be my tutorial on The Next Step. I love the dimensional curl. Really cool. Surprisingly, they would be fine in a binder because they are pretty tough.


Yesterday, D (the subject of the above layout) had a milk challenge at the allergist's office. A milk challenge is when the doctor gives increasingly larger doses of cow milk to a child to see if she is still allergic. The test is about 3 1/2 hours long because they start out with 1 ml and work up to 1 1/2 cups of milk on the last dose. D made it through the entire test without any problems. Yeah! She was declared safe. But then, we were on our way out when she vomited into the garbage can. Twenty minutes later, she had hives on her face and back. After an epinephrine shot she felt much better. Poor girl. So, the doctor and I decided that milk is still a big no-no. We'll repeat the same test in a year. Bummer.

Needless to say, we were at the doctor's office almost all day long. Boy, were we glad to get out of there! All the kids behaved wonderfully. I was so proud of them. It isn't easy for an adult to sit in a small room for hours and hours let alone a 7, 6, 4, 2 and 7 month. (Luckily, we were able to watch movies and I brought a billion books and toys.) They are great kids. We went out to Old MacDonalds for lunch to celebrate their awesomeness. I'm such a blessed momma.

Kind

Sometimes you get a picture that is so everyday-moment that it becomes special. That's what happened when I saw this picture that my friend, Sara, took of Z and her grandma.


When I think of my mother-in-law, I think of kindness and compassion. She is one of those special people who just loves everyone no matter what. Someday I'd like someone to say that about me. It may take awhile...(giggle)


Materials: My Little Shoebox pattern papers, transparencies and letters; Core'dinations cardstock; Prima flower; Making Memories brad; unknown leaf; book page; Ranger Stickles

Speaking of My Little Shoebox, they just posted the new CHA releases on their blog! You'll love the new stuff! Check it out!

Butterflies Everywhere

I'm not sure what it is, but I've got an obsession right now with butterflies. I'm finding them all over my house.

These beauties appeared in the girls' room.


They were made with Luxe's Lovey line and this template blown up 300%.


I stuck them to the wall using plain old pop dots. Works really well. The flowers are from this cake.


I also made this card recently using My Little Shoebox papers, some vellum, Bazzil cardstock and a Prima flower.


A close-up.


Pictures of this month's RAKs are up on The Next Step. If you haven't already played along, you've got a few more weeks! They are great kits!